Katalyst, Sandro & Benny Hinn [FRIDAY – 10.04.2015]

Dope beats from two incredible Sydney producers & Djs…

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KATALYST //

Producing since the mid nineties, Sydney based Ashley Anderson aka Katalyst initially under the moniker of Moonrock, releasing a self titled album in early ’98 to critical acclaim, and went on to contribute tracks to the internationally renowned “Cafe Del Mar” and “Dope on Plastic” compilation’s.

May 2002 saw the release of the Katalyst’s debut album Manipulating Agent. The first release for INVADA Records, a label formed by himself and Geoff Barrow of Portishead fame, the album received much critical acclaim. Receiving an ARIA nomination, also winning “Best Producer” and “Best Album” at the 2002 Australian DMA’s.

In 2007 Katalyst released the long awaited follow up album What’s Happening enlisting guestv ocalists from the US, the UK and Australia including J-Live, Stephanie McKay, Steve Spacek, Supernatural, Diverse, Katie Noonan, Mat McHugh (The Beautiful Girls), Adalita (Magic Dirt), Hau (Koolism) and more. What’s Happening was nominated for the prestigious J Award (JJJ) followed by another ARIA nomination in 2008.

What’s Happening was picked up for worldwide release by taste maker label BBE Records in the UK. The collaboration with Steve Spacek on the album was in Giles Peterson’s top 20 tracks for 2008. Katalyst went on to form a group with Spacek called Space Invadas. Their debut album Soul Fi received an ARIA nomination. Released in 2010 worldwide on INVADA / BBE Records.

His third and final album in the Katalyst trilogy was entitled Deep Impressions and released in 2011 on INVADA / BBE. Guests include Stephanie McKay, Bootie Brown (Pharcyde), Buff 1, Steve Spacek, Coin Locker Kid, Kween G, Jane Doe, Hau and Mr Clean. Again the album was met with critical acclaim both in Australia and abroad.

2012 sees Katalyst taking a new direction musically, starting with the release of Quakers on Stones Throw Records. The album was released to critical acclaim in March 2012 and hailed by manyas an instant classic. Quakers is a hip-hop collective currently boasting 35 member’s which orbits around a core of three producers: Fuzzface, 7-Stu-7 and Katalyst. Fuzzface is better known as Portishead’s founder and producer Geoff Barrow. 7-Stu-7 is Portishead’s engineer and in-house producer at Invada Records in the UK. Some of the 32 MCs on the record include Dead Prez, Phat Kat, Guilty Simpson, Prince Po and Booty Brown to name just a handful. The album is making waves around the globe leading up to its release on March 27th.

Katalyst is back from touring Europe over the last three months and is in the studio busy working on numerous upcoming projects, details of which will come to light later this year.

Katalyst has performed along side some of the biggest international acts to tour Australia, including The Roots, Jack Johnson, Jurassic 5, DJ Shadow, DJ Premier, Guru, Mix Master Mike, Ben Harper and many more. Katalyst has played all the major Australian festivals including Splendour In The Grass, Big Day Out, Homebake, The Falls Festivals, Good Vibrations, Groovin In The Moo, Southbound and many more.

KATALYST LINKS

SANDRO //

Former Good Buddha producer & DJ… He has produced tracks for some of Syd and Australia’s best underground MCs. The Sleeping Monk, Mr Clean, RuCL, Ozi Batla, Mnemonic Ascent, Celsius and many more. One of the illest producers in Aus. His new mix tape Return To Sample Land featuring obscure samples from many classic hip hop joints is about to drop & he might even have a couple with him at the gig… Member of The Adventure Starters with Katalyst and Peakhour.

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BENNY HINN //

Benny Hinn (Daniel Robertson) began spinnin’ vinyl back in 01′ playing a range of phat funky house and some chunky big assed broken beats for the masses… Although now only 34, the Hinns has played at some of the finer establishments, parties and festivals around Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Spain, Wollongong and the South coast, gaining a rep az a bit of a party starter and one with some def skillz, finesse and sheer artistry on a pair of 1200s.

Benny has also been dipping into a little production here and there with a few little mashes and beats all up on his soundcloud page.

His latest venture has been building and establishing PLAY BAR SYDNEY. After drawing inspiration from his last stint in Melbourne and meeting his partner & co-owner Sarah, the two worked hard to build what they hope to be for many years to come, an institution that brings decent music into Surry Hills Sydney. He has programmed every bit of music that has come through the venue and supported a huge range of hiphop, breakbeat DJs and just awesome beat-makers and producers both local and abroad…